AI-specific range of SSDs and HDDs offered by Wester Digital (WD)
As the field of AI (artificial intelligence) gets firmer roots, Western Digital (WD) has introduced a six-stage AI Data Cycle framework that defines the optimal storage mix for AI workloads at scale. The company has strategically aligned its flash and HDD product and technology roadmaps to the storage requirements of each critical stage of the cycle. In that context, the company has introduced a new high-performance PCIe Gen5 SSD to support AI training and inference including a high-capacity 64TB SSD for fast AI data lakes and the world’s highest capacity ePMR, UltraSMR 32TB HDD for cost-effective storage at scale.
The AI models operate in a continuous loop of data consumption and generation – processing text, images, audio and video among other data types while simultaneously producing new unique data. As AI technologies become more advanced, data storage systems must deliver the capacity and performance to support the computational loads and speeds required for large, sophisticated models while managing immense volumes of data.
“Data is the fuel of AI. As AI technologies become embedded across virtually every industry sector, storage has become an increasingly important and dynamic component of the AI technology stack,” said Rob Soderbery, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Western Digital’s Flash Business Unit. “The new AI Data Cycle framework will equip our customers to build a storage infrastructure that impacts the performance, scalability, and the deployment of AI applications, underscoring our commitment to deliver unparalleled value to our customers,” added Soderbery.
The new Ultrastar DC SN861 SSD is Western Digital’s first enterprise-class PCIe Gen 5.0 solution with industry-leading random read performance and projected best-in-class power efficiency for AI workloads. With capacities up to 16TB, it delivers up to 3x random read performance increase versus the previous generation with ultra-low latency and faster responsiveness for large language model (LLM) training, inferencing and AI service deployment. In addition, the low power profile delivers higher IOPS/Watt, reducing overall TCO.
Complementing the Ultrastar DC SN861, is the expanded Ultrastar DC SN655 enterprise-class SSD range designed for storage-intensive applications. The new options for the U.3 SSD will reach up to 64TB, driving higher performance and capacity for AI data preparation and faster, larger data lakes. These new DC SN655 variants are now sampling. More details about the drives will be released later this year when volume shipments begin.
Western Digital is also now sampling the industry’s highest-capacity, 32TB ePMR enterprise-class HDD to select customers. Designed for massive data storage in hyperscale cloud and enterprise data centers, the new Ultrastar DC HC690 high-capacity UltraSMR HDD will play a vital role in AI workflows where large-scale data storage and low TCO are paramount. Leveraging proven designs from generations of highly successful products, the new 32TB drive delivers unbeaten capacity with seamless qualification and integration for rapid deployment, while maintaining superior dependability and reliability. More details about the drive will be available later this summer.
“There’s no doubt that Generative AI is the next transformational technology, and storage is a critical enabler. The implications for storage are expected to be significant as the role of storage, and access to data, influences the speed, efficiency and accuracy of AI models, especially as larger and higher-quality data sets become more prevalent,” said Ed Burns, Research Director at IDC. “As a leader in Flash and HDD, Western Digital has an opportunity to benefit in this growing AI landscape with its strong market position and broad portfolio, which meets a variety of needs within the different AI data cycle stages”, added Burns.
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